Results 4,981-5,000 of 7,123 for speaker:Mary O'Rourke

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed). (1 Apr 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: Senator Brian Hayes raised the report of the All-Party Committee on the Constitution, which advised that if there was to be a referendum, all Deputies and Senators should have the opportunity to speak if they so wished and that there should be 30 days' prior notice, and asked about the position of the referendum. No Government decision on the date for a referendum has been made. The Minister...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed). (1 Apr 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: The Senator also raised the situation in accident and emergency departments and the cases of elderly people who had to wait a long time to be admitted, coupling that with the closure of some of the facilities in Peamount Hospital. As soon as the Minister for Health and Children has time, we will request that he attends a general debate in the House. Senator Norris has also been asking for...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed). (1 Apr 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: Senator Norris is the only Member present from his group but he is making up for all his colleagues.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed). (1 Apr 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: I am sure. Senator Kenneally called for a debate on broadband projects. He also raised the matter of the ring road around Waterford not having ducting for cabling. The Senator is aware that legislation in which cover for such provision was included was passed prior to the end of the term of the previous Government. There must be some non-communication among officials of the county council,...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed). (1 Apr 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: He talked about the prices charged in pubs. As Senator Mansergh said — I do not know if I am allowed to comment on interjections — one should drink around.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed). (1 Apr 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: It is difficult to drink around. If one goes into a pub to have one drink, I imagine one is inclined to stay in the same pub, although I do not drink pints. Senator Ulick Burke wants the Minister, Deputy Ó Cuív, to come to the House to debate the decline in rural areas. Senator Jim Walsh called for a debate on rural development and the roads programme of the NRA in the south east and the...

Seanad: Order of Business. (1 Apr 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: The Order of Business is No. 1, statements on the high level of alcohol consumption by young people, to be taken on the conclusion of the Order of Business and to conclude no later than 12.30 p.m., with the contributions of spokespersons at 15 minutes and other Senators ten minutes, and Members may share time. The Minister will be called upon to reply no later than five minutes before the...

Seanad: Order of Business. (31 Mar 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: Senator Brian Hayes raised the issue of the abandonment of the concert that was to take place on 1 May. We did not get a reason for it this morning other than that main streets in Dublin would be closed for up to nine days, an extraordinarily long time. We should have a debate on this to find out why such a decision was taken. The Senator then asked how many of the anti-terrorism measures...

Seanad: Order of Business. (31 Mar 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: Should that be done by way of a different form of words?

Seanad: Order of Business. (31 Mar 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: The last statements on this matter in the House were made in December 2002, which is a long time ago.

Seanad: Order of Business. (31 Mar 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: I thank the Cathaoirleach.

Seanad: Order of Business. (31 Mar 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: Senator Cummins was in possession and in light of that suggestion, I do not know if that arrangement will fall.

Seanad: Order of Business. (31 Mar 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: I thank the Cathaoirleach for his guidance. It is great we have settled it on the floor of the House.

Seanad: Order of Business. (31 Mar 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: I did not realise that it was well over a year since we had a debate on this matter. Senator Norris expressed regret that the concert will not take place, but I hope it can be salvaged and this decision was only an immediate reaction to it. The Senator talked about the licensing laws and how he was able to purchase alcohol in a small local supermarket——

Seanad: Order of Business. (31 Mar 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: ——late at night. The Senator called for a debate on democracy. He spoke about unions and said they were undermining democracy. He asked who was running the country. We are having a lively debate this morning. Senator Ryan made the dotty suggestion that RTE is in the pockets of Fianna Fáil.

Seanad: Order of Business. (31 Mar 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: I can tell Senator Ryan that whoever else's pocket RTE is in it is certainly not in the pocket of Fianna Fáil.

Seanad: Order of Business. (31 Mar 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: To be truthful, I do not think RTE is in anyone's pocket, but it is certainly not in ours.

Seanad: Order of Business. (31 Mar 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: Senator Ryan said that unions have a right to state their point of view. I agree with that.

Seanad: Order of Business. (31 Mar 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: I would like us to have a debate on transport.

Seanad: Order of Business. (31 Mar 2004)

Mary O'Rourke: I will endeavour to arrange for the Minister to come into the House for such a debate.